“Overflowing Frangrance of Christ”

Sermon Title: Overflowing Frangrance of Christ

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-14 ESV

Introduction

2 Corinthians is one of the most personal epistles written by the Apostle Paul. In this letter, we see Paul open up his heart and his life in Christ, and it is overflowing with love for the Corinthians.

For the 18 months that Paul served to build up the church in Corinth, he would have had to pour out his love onto the people. The truth of the gospel had to be proclaimed, but the love of God that he spoke about also needed to be demonstrated. These were people whose normal way of life had been shaped by sin, immorality, and pagan idolatry.

Despite the accusations and attacks they later brought against him, Paul’s love for them did not change. It was out of love that he grieved for them. It was out of love that he wrote to them. And even here in his defense, it is still out of love.

In today’s passage, Paul continues his defense as an apostle of Jesus Christ. And he does so the same way he has done throughout this letter — by making his appeal to Christ. Even in defending himself, he exemplifies Galatians 2:20: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” He does not say, “Look at my credentials. Look at my strengths. Look at my success.” He says, in effect, “It is not I, but Christ.”

And so through his defense, Paul shifts the direction toward restoring love, promoting repentance and forgiveness, and pursuing reconciliation within the church — and of course, between himself and them.

(2 Corinthians 2:5–8)

Paul recognizes that the church has gone through a lot. Much has happened. People have been hurt. Fellowship has been broken. The church has been fragmented, and difficult choices had to be made.

In his severe letter, it seems that Paul challenged the church to call out sin and to bring discipline to those who had sinned — possibly even excommunicating them. But now he says that the punishment by the majority is enough. If there has been repentance, then they must forgive and comfort him, so that he is not overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

Sorrow is necessary when sin is involved. We should grieve when we sin, and we should grieve when others sin against us — especially if they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. But sorrow should not remain forever. Sorrow should lead to repentance. And to the one who has a broken and repentant heart, Paul says they are to be forgiven, comforted, and restored into fellowship.

We as individuals, and we as a church, cannot experience restoration and healing without forgiveness, love, and reconciliation.

(2 Corinthians 2:10–11)

Paul says, “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive… in the presence of Christ.” Paul too has suffered. Paul too has been hurt. Yet he says he has forgiven.

He gives this command as an apostle of Jesus Christ, but more than that, as one who is in Christ. Forgiveness is the evidence of our identity in Christ.

We resemble Jesus most when we forgive. The greatest act of mercy and love was when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and we were forgiven.

But forgiveness is difficult — not so much because of the act of forgiveness itself, but because of reconciliation. God’s forgiveness of our sins did not end with, “You are forgiven, now go your own way.” No. His forgiveness led to reconciliation with Him.

Often, when conflict happens — even in the church — we may say we forgive, but we put up walls. We avoid. We decide it is better not to interact too closely. We may have forgiven in word, but bitterness lingers in the heart.

Reconciliation is costly. We know this because the cost of our reconciliation with God was the life of Jesus Christ.

Paul warns that we are not to be outwitted by Satan. Division, bitterness, excessive sorrow, broken fellowship — these are not small matters. An unforgiving heart can destroy a church. Satan desires a fractured church.

So Paul presses them: are you pursuing love and reconciliation? Are you letting bitterness remain? Are you giving Satan room through an unforgiving heart?

(2 Corinthians 2:12–13)

Paul was hurting too.

He came to Troas to preach the gospel, and a door was opened for him in the Lord. Yet his spirit was not at rest because he did not find Titus there. He was worried about the church. He was waiting for news. His heart was troubled.

Even when ministry opportunities were before him, his heart was crushed because of his love for the Corinthians.

(2 Corinthians 2:14–17)

Then suddenly, Paul breaks out into thanksgiving:

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession…”

Paul is able to give thanks even when he is emotionally crushed because his hope and faith are not determined by his emotions. He knows that his life is in the hands of God who is sovereign over all. It is Christ who leads him.

The word “triumphal procession” would have brought to mind a Roman victory parade. The whole city would celebrate the conquering general. Incense would be burned. The fragrance would fill the air. For the victors, it was life and celebration. For the captives, it meant death.

Paul says that wherever he goes, even when it seems random or weak, it is Christ the conquering King who leads him. Christ allows him to participate in this triumphal procession. Through him, God spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.

To some, it is a fragrance from life to life. To others, it is from death to death.

And Paul asks, “Who is sufficient for these things?”

No one is sufficient in themselves. Only by the power of God.

He closes by saying they are not peddlers of God’s word. They are not manipulating the gospel for profit. They speak with sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God, in Christ.

All things were done not by their own power, but by the power of God.

Fragrance of Christ

Paul’s point is this: when Christ dwells within us, the fragrance of Christ comes out of us.

Like a jar of perfume that is broken, weakness and suffering allow the fragrance to spread. The knowledge of the gospel becomes life to those who accept Christ, and death to those who reject Him.

The fragrance of Christ cannot be manufactured by our own efforts. It cannot be forced. It can only be released.

It grows stronger when we walk in obedience to the word of God and to the heart of God. It spreads clearly in a church that walks in forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy, and love.

So we must ask: Is the fragrance of Christ spreading from you? Do people see forgiveness and reconciliation in your life? Do they see humility, sincerity, and faith? Do they hear words of hope that point to Christ? Does it bring people closer to Christ - even if they don’t understand the truth of the gospel, do they understand that the God you believe in is good?

The fragrance of Christ is strongly and clearly spread in a church that walks in obedience to the word of God, forgiveness, reconciliation, and love.

Reflection

Brothers and sisters, is the Spirit of Forgiveness bringing to your mind someone to whom the Lord desires for you to forgive, be forgiven, and be reconciled to? Whether it is a friend, a family member, your spouse, or a fellow brother or sister in Christ. May you walk in obedience to the heart of God and spread the fragrance of Christ around you.

Brothers and sisters, is there anything masking or sealing away the fragrance of Christ from spreading? Paul’s life was a jar of perfume that was broken so that the fragrance of Christ could not be stopped from spreading.

Is it worldliness, love for the world, your personal sins, fear of people more than fear of God, and self reliance that masks the fragrance of Christ in you?